The Pleasures of Summer by Evie Hunter Page A

She’s new and untrained. I apologize if she’s been troublesome.’
    ‘That’s quite alright. She’s a pretty little thing, although I imagine that she needs a firm hand.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Flynn agreed. ‘She can be quite the brat at times.’ He reached into his sporran and pulled out a length of silver chain and a collar.
    Oh, he wouldn’t. Flynn wouldn’t dare put a collar on her in front of all these people. She thought she caught a hint of a smile as he fastened it around her neck. He inserted a finger between the collar and her bare skin before attaching the chain to the collar.
    She flashed him a mutinous glare but remained silent. It was her own fault that she was in this mess. She might have to put up with it now, but she would make him pay for this later.
    ‘She’s had enough excitement for one night,’ Flynn said. ‘Have you seen her companions? I’d like to say goodnight before I take her home.’
    ‘Robert and Molly? I’m afraid you’ve missed them. Two of Robert’s eastern European friends turned up and they left together.’
    ‘But was Molly okay?’ Summer asked.
    Peter laughed. ‘She was barely warmed up. Molly has a remarkably high pain threshold.’
    They left her? Molly and Robert had left her here alone? Summer swallowed hard. If Flynn hadn’t arrived when hedid … She didn’t want to think about that. This night wasn’t turning out as she had planned. She had to get out of here. Summer moved towards the door, only to be pulled up sharply by the leash.
    ‘Going somewhere?’ Flynn asked mildly.
    Hell. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be his sub and Highwayman was still hanging around. ‘No … I …’
    ‘No, what?’ he said sharply.
    The words stuck in her throat like shards of glass. When they got home, Flynn was going to suffer. Really suffer. ‘No, Master.’
    ‘Good girl,’ he praised her. ‘I’ve had a long, thirsty ride to fetch you. I need a drink.’
    She followed obediently behind them, praying that no one she knew saw her. The ignominy of it. Summer O’Sullivan on a leash and chain. She would make Flynn pay for this.
    Through an ornate pair of doors was another bar. This one was quieter, more formal. Groups sat quietly chatting. They could have been in the lobby of a five-star hotel. She glanced around her, gritting her teeth when she realized that the subs were expected to sit at their masters’ feet. They had to be kidding. Flynn chose a quiet alcove with two wing-backed leather chairs. He was going to do it. This was his petty revenge for making him drive into the city to rescue her.
    Flynn ordered two single malts and a sparkling water, while Highwayman located a low footstool and placed it beside Flynn’s chair. She smiled gratefully at him; at least she didn’t have to sit on the floor. When the server arrivedwith their drinks, Flynn offered her the whiskey. ‘I don’t …’ she began.
    His warning glance silenced her and she accepted the glass without further protest. The men chatted about the club. Flynn seemed to know many of the members, which was surprising. But then, a lot of things about tonight had shocked the hell out of her. She took a sip, savouring the warming flare of the whiskey as it slipped down her throat.
    She was suddenly desperately tired. Would this night ever end? As if she had spoken out loud, Flynn stroked her hair and he gently pressed her head against his knee. She rested her cheek against his thigh.
    Highwayman rambled on. Underneath the wig and the flamboyant costume, he was an old gossip. ‘Dreadful business about the property crash. There were rumours that Robert got himself mixed up in some deal in Bratislava. And I heard that Maurice was hit so hard he had to move back in with his parents.’
    ‘Very unfortunate,’ Flynn agreed.
    The highwayman put down his drink and got to his feet. ‘Break time is over.’ He looked at Flynn and smiled. ‘I wonder if I might play with your pet?’
    Summer squeaked.